Song Lan’an sat in the waterside pavilion in the courtyard of Changxin Palace. Inside was a yellow clay stove with tea warming on top. Seeing this, Song Wan frowned slightly, momentarily uncertain why her father had entered the palace.

“Come sit.”

Song Lan’an pointed to the embroidered stool beside him, gesturing for Song Wan to take a seat.

“How has Father’s health been lately? A few days ago, I heard from Aunt that you nearly fell and injured yourself in the snow. Do you feel any discomfort anywhere?”

“Your father’s health is robust. I appreciate your concern.”

Song Wan lowered her head, saying softly, “It is what this daughter should do.”

After these few sentences, father and daughter fell silent. Song Yuning sighed inwardly, stood up and said, “You two chat first. I’ll go inside to prepare more tea and snacks.”

After Song Yuning left, only the sound of boiling water softly broke the silence in the pavilion.

“How have you been recently?”

“Everyone in the Eastern Palace is kind, and they all take care of Wan’er. Wan’er lives very well.”

Song Lan’an sighed, “That’s good then.”

After these two sentences, father and daughter once again fell into silence. After a long while, Song Wan clutched her handkerchief and said in a low voice, “Did Father enter the palace today because of some matter? Is it related to the Su River?”

Song Lan’an raised his hand to pour tea for Song Wan, moving casually as he said, “Related, yet unrelated.”

He pushed the teacup toward Song Wan: “Your father also wished to see you two.”

“When His Majesty passed away, too many things happened. As an elder brother and father, I should naturally come see how you two are faring.”

Song Wan pursed her lips in a smile, not knowing what to say.

Taking out the thin paper note from her sleeve, Song Wan handed it to Song Lan’an: “Your daughter has a method here that might break Nanqing’s iron cavalry.”

“Oh?”

Casually taking it, Song Lan’an opened it and scanned it. Soon he burst out laughing.

“This method is devious and unscrupulous—it doesn’t seem like something you’d think of. Speak, who suggested this method to you?”

Song Wan’s face flushed red, her heart full of shame.

“This… your daughter saw this in a book.”

Song Lan’an snorted with laughter and casually tossed the note into the fire.

“Does Father think this method won’t work?”

Song Lan’an said, “Childish nonsense, completely worthless.”

“Why?”

The smile on his face gradually faded as Song Lan’an said, “Dongning can’t hold on any longer. The court has decided to surrender to Nanqing and become obedient subjects of Nanqing.”

“…”

The handkerchief in her hand was suddenly gripped tightly, the force even breaking several threads. Song Wan’s mouth opened slightly, wanting to say something but unable to speak.

A thousand words choked in her throat. A hot tear slid down her cheek. Song Wan raised her hand to wipe away the tear tracks on her face, frowning gently.

Wiping away the tears in her eyes, Song Wan’s nose stung as she said, “If there truly were no other way, the court would not make such a decision. But as long as it can preserve the lives of Dongning’s ten thousand people, this… is also good.”

“You’re not afraid?”

Song Lan’an pushed the pastries on the table toward Song Wan again.

“Your daughter is not afraid.”

Surrendering to Nanqing—she didn’t know if it would involve ceding territory, paying reparations, or…

“Will the Crown Prince return?”

“He will.”

Song Lan’an said, “Dongning has not yet fallen.”

“Who will go as the surrender envoy…”

“Me. Minister Shang and I, along with several officials from the Court of State Ceremonial.”

Before Song Wan finished speaking, Song Lan’an calmly interrupted her: “We depart tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“Minister Shang has a clear reputation outside, and your father… also has some renown in this world. Going to the Su River is most appropriate.”

Song Lan’an had his calculations but didn’t tell Song Wan.

“To have Father do this…”

Her eyes reddening, Song Wan quickly turned her head away. After wiping her face clean, she held back her tears and said, “Father has valued reputation most in his life. If you serve as this surrender envoy, you’ll likely suffer the world’s condemnation in the future, with no peace for a hundred years.”

“It’s just an external reputation.”

Song Lan’an laughed lightly. Hearing Song Wan’s words, his face showed some paternal affection as he sighed deeply, “I only fear implicating you and Fu’er.”

Song Wan’s heart ached, not expecting her father had entered the palace for this matter.

He feared implicating her, Aunt, and Elder Brother, so he came to the palace to apologize to them.

External reputation…

Song Wan’s eyes reddened, her throat choked with emotion.

Her father valued this external reputation above all else, yet now he would bear the world’s condemnation and be reviled by future generations. Just thinking about it made Song Wan’s chest ache with pain, unable to bear it.

“Though outsiders don’t know Father is doing this for the world’s common people, your daughter knows. How can there be talk of implication?”

“The Crown Prince treats your daughter extremely well, and there are no ill-intentioned people in the Eastern Palace. Your daughter’s future will be as smooth and stable as now. Father need not worry about Wan’er.”

“It’s just that Father is wronged.”

Song Lan’an waved his hand with a smile: “If even Old Minister Shang isn’t wronged, what is there for your father to feel wronged about?”

“Father should have informed Wan’er earlier, so Wan’er could prepare some things for you.”

“The manor has everything—clothing, food, and necessities are all sufficient. You can rest assured.”

“When will Father return to the capital?”

“Once official business is concluded, I’ll return.”

Rarely, father and daughter spoke a few intimate words. After a long while, Song Lan’an suddenly said, “When I had you marry into the Marquis Manor that year, did you ever resent your father?”

“Never have I resented you.”

“The family comes first. This is Father’s responsibility as clan head. Wan’er has never resented you.”

Song Lan’an smiled with relief: “If I weren’t the Song clan head, I wouldn’t have made you marry into the Chengyang Marquis Manor to remain a widow.”

At these words, Song Wan could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes, letting them roll down drop by drop.

Song Lan’an stood up and brushed off his official robes: “I’m leaving. There are still some trivial matters at the manor I haven’t arranged. I won’t delay here any longer.”

“In the future…”

Looking at Song Wan, Song Lan’an said, “These years, thanks to your aunt’s care for you—your father has been remiss. After this matter is settled, your father will send you a great gift, to congratulate my daughter on her marriage.”

Finishing, Song Lan’an left behind the words “no need to see me off” and turned to leave.

Song Fu already knew of the court’s preparations. When he saw Song Lan’an at the manor, his eyes were bloodshot. He stood beneath the manor’s courtyard wall, silently watching him.

“Come with me.”

The two entered the study. Song Lan’an sighed, “If you were me, you would make the same choice.”

Raising his hand to open the hidden compartment beneath the desk, he took out several sealed letters and handed them to Song Fu: “You know what to do.”

Song Fu nodded. Song Lan’an added, “This one is for the Crown Prince and Wan’er.”

“Father…”

“Go.”

Song Lan’an leaned back slightly, his voice sighing: “Do what you must do.”

Leaving the study, Song Fu went to prepare the items Song Lan’an would need for tomorrow’s journey to the Su River. At this moment, however, Madam Song rushed over, pulling Song Yao along.

“Master, the people in the manor say you’re going to the Su River tomorrow as a surrender envoy—is this true?”

“Yes.”

Song Lan’an looked at Madam Song with calm eyes: “What business do you have?”

Madam Song clutched her handkerchief, unable to help but cry in anger and resentment: “Why does Master accept such an assignment? Don’t you know what you’ll face when you return from the Su River? The world’s verbal and written condemnation alone could break the spines of everyone in our manor. Why must you seek the limelight and do such a thankless task that invites abuse?”